"It was the start of our final year of school together in Santa Barbara, and we all knew that we would soon be graduating and heading our separate ways. On a Friday morning, myself and five of my closest friends decided to commiserate over short stacks and coffee at our local Goleta, California, IHOP. At breakfast we discussed the future of our close circle of friends. How would we stay in touch? When would we see each other again? Would we still be friends in five years? In twenty-five years? The answer to all of our questions was right in front of us. That morning, we formed The International Flapjack Society, I.F.S. for short. We pledged that we would meet for breakfast four times a year, at a local IHOP, and committed our ideas to a napkin at the table. At these meetings, we planned to swap stories, discuss plans, and of course, eat pancakes. Now, it’s three and half years later, and a lot has happened. I.F.S. has grown to include nineteen close friends, boasting members in Germany and Mexico – we truly are ‘International.’ We’ve had pancakes together at IHOP from San Diego to Philadelphia. And even though we have moved away from each other geographically, we all look forward to our chance each quarter to meet again. Happy 50th IHOP! The International Flapjack Society is proud to be growing old right alongside you."

Grand Prize Winner:    Scott Reader, Maple Shade, New Jersey

Runners-Up:    Kevin Bunch, Irvine, CA  |  Deborah Forrest, Ocean Springs, MS
Joshua Snow Hansen, Cedar City, UT  |  Carol Mahoney, Kearns, UT  |   Jill Oviatt, Ann Arbor, MI